Research: Peppers to Deter Deer Mice

Researchers in Missoula, Montana are testing to see if hot peppers will keep deer mice from eating grass seeds. Research scientist, Dean Pearson with the U.S. Forest Service’s Rocky Mountain Research Station is trying out different methods of attaching powder from the bhut jolokia pepper to the seeds of native grass. The bhut jolokia pepper is one of the hottest peppers known to man. Some success has been found in using the pepper to keep mice away from the grass seeds after planting.

The team of researchers will return to Missoula next spring to see if the peppered seeds have survived the hungry mice. Benefits to this would be cost effective agriculture applications and the use of native seeds instead of exotic seed.